Scotland’s only alcohol-free bar will open its doors for the first time to the public next week.
SOBR on Thistle Street, Aberdeen, which launches officially on Wednesday, October 22, is one of the first bars in the country to offer only alcohol-free drinks in a bar environment.
The first-of-its-kind venue in Aberdeen is run by local businesswoman Kate Kenyon, who is on a mission to bring a new way of socialising to the forefront of Aberdeen’s hospitality scene with her 22-seater art deco-inspired bar.
The 33-year-old says the functional drinks, made with health-boosting ingredients including Lion’s Mane and charcoal, have been carefully crafted by general manager, Hayden Geraghty, and consultant, Mark Robinson.
Open Wednesday to Saturdays from 2 to 10pm, SOBR is aiming to significantly increase the choice of zero-alcohol drinks available to consumers, offering everything from non-alcoholic wine, spirits, beer, cider and cocktails, to a menu of non-alcoholic ‘shots’.
As well as the functional drinks which are said to boost and revive, other choices include a range of seasonal and exclusive theatrical cocktails rich in flavour and texture, hot drinks and local coffee from Aberdeen roaster and coffee shop, Figment. Food businesses on Thistle Street, including pâtissier Almondine and Turkish bakery Pera Palace, will provide snacks and treats to enjoy alongside the drinks.
I headed along to a preview of the bar ahead of its opening to sample some of the offerings.
The first thing you notice when you step inside the ex-florist is how different the space is. It’s open, with every nook and cranny accounted for. The ‘Lover’s Neuk’, an intimate small double-seated table in an alcove, breaks up the seating areas, and there are even spaces to pop your handbag to keep it safe.
SOBR’s custom-made bar is stacked with a range of bottlings. Some Scottish, with Feragaia and Wild Eve sitting proudly amongst other recognisable global brands.
Kate’s love for florals is apparent; not only is she wearing them, but they are also dressed on the walls as the dark green and baby pink colour combo comes together throughout the room.
We kick start the night with a Natureo Muscat Torres white wine. It’s £6.50 to £7 for a medium glass, and bar manager Hayden confirms they will serve just one size of measure. It’s not too sweet, and I reckon it would pair well with food, too. Conveniently, there are macarons from Almondine just down the street that are on the snacks menu, so I snaffle one of those. A range of other white and three red wines are available, as well as some non-alcoholic wines that haven’t been dealcoholised.
Read more:
- Is it style over substance at this bustling Ballater seafood restaurant?
- 'Pop mysterious Darroch Learg in the Cairngorms on your must-visit list'
- Inside the Michelin Guide listed restaurant at Robert Burns' 'favourite howff'
Next up, we’re served the Karma Bites Back shot (roughly £3.50). The bar’s version of a Pickleback (a shot of whisky followed by a shot of pickle brine) is served with Sour Power
Vinegars, Sicilian blood orange and warm spices, apple cider vinegar cordial, and Karma Kola. It’s served with a pickle garnish and has a savoury, ginger taste to it. My friend Jade, who runs the Scottish and Sober Instagram account, hasn’t had a shot in five years. Her excitement is apparent when she does a little dance after. With the base of the drink being apple cider vinegar, even the shots seem to have health benefits.
The bar is serving a selection of Edinburgh’s award-winning Jump Ship non-alcoholic beer. We try the Yardarm lager and the Jackstaff IPA. Both come in 330ml cans and are priced at a fiver. The Jackstaff is more to my liking with its fruitier peach flavour.
Just before we move on to cocktails, I get the chance to try Lewis Hamilton’s non-alcoholic tequila, Almave. While it smells like the real stuff, it tastes of light coconut and lime in my opinion, rather than agave-based tequila.
Hayden fixes us The Wild Eve Aperitif (no price yet, but it will be around £10-15) with Wild Eve, strawberry syrup, cranberry juice, lime juice and a lemonade top. Wild Eve, a botanical infusion made in Harris by A.S Apothecary, has ashwagandha in it, which is said to help reduce stress and alleviate anxiety. I now understand how the functional ingredients will play a part on the menu, but I’d like to return to see what percentage of them are functional versus for fun. The drink was super refreshing and boasted a beautiful pink hue.
The mango and chilli margarita features Crossip’s Blazing Pineapple and Fresh Citrus, Crawley’s agave syrup, mango juice, fresh chilli and chilli flakes. It had a slight heat to it, but it wasn’t spicy in my opinion. Hayden can adjust the spice, so if you like it hot, let him know. It was delicious, though and went down easily without the slight burn usually caused by tequila.
SOBR has plans to launch its own version of a Cheeky Vimto soon, using raspberry and lychee flavours to put its own spin on it, and they’ll also present monthly specials to keep the offering fresh.
A few other functional drinks set to be available, that I didn’t try, include Three Spirit Livener, a drink said to balance the body and mind, containing schisandra, guayusa, a natural caffeine, and watermelon, a fruit rich in antioxidants. And Three Spirit Nightcap is said to relax you as it contains valerian, a traditional sleep aid, terpenes from mosaic hops, for a calming effect, and lemon balm for its rejuvenating properties.
Sentia Gaba Red is a relaxing “social booster” drink, containing ashwagandha, passionflower and magnolia bark, and for those looking for a burst of productivity, the energy booster Sentia Gaba Black, helps focus the mind. A key ingredient is ginseng, often used in Chinese medicine for its abilities to increase energy and boost the immune system, along with ginkgo leaf, which promotes cognitive function and improves blood circulation.
What I admire the most about the 33-year-old entrepreneur is that Kate has self-funded the project and has taken her lived experience of reducing her alcohol intake due to health reasons, and given others a safe space to go out and enjoy themselves.
She is championing local and has curated a menu with purpose and intent.
On the opening, Kate said: “You can come to SOBR, have multiple drinks, and still feel positive. It’s an opportunity for people to align their health goals with going out for a great night and still being able to fully function the next day.
“SOBR will be a home from home where you can put your feet up, relax and chill in a sophisticated atmosphere. It’s a place for people to feel safe and included while still having an amazing night with great company. It’s something unique for the city.”
For further details on SOBR visit www.sobrbar.co.uk.
Share